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A systematic review and meta-analysis of brain hyperscanning research suggests that interbrain synchrony (IBS) can be used as an objective measure of teamwork. The study found that factors like familiarity and stress levels among team members facilitate IBS. It also showed that IBS is correlated with teamwork behaviors and affective states, and predicts team performance to some extent. While there are limitations to the technology used, the researchers concluded that brain hyperscanning is a promising tool for studying teamwork. Additionally, a collection of articles explores topics related to physical activity and exercise, including factors influencing physical activity in adults with overweight or obesity, the impact of mindfulness-based activities during high-intensity interval training, negative messages directed at athletes on social media, the effects of fitness center closures on physical activity in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of fitfluencer captions on body image and exercise intentions in adolescents. These articles provide valuable insights and emphasize the need for further research and support in promoting physical activity and well-being. [Extracted from the article]

Context: Current lower-extremity return to sport testing primarily considers the physical status of an athlete; however, sport participation requires continuous cognitive dual-task engagement. Therefore, the purpose was to develop and evaluate the reliability of a visual-cognitive reactive (VCR) triple hop test that simulates the typical sport demand of combined online visual-cognitive processing and neuromuscular control to improve return to sport testing after lower-extremity injury. Design: Test–retest reliability. Methods: Twenty-one healthy college students (11 females, 23.5 [3.7] y, 1.73 [0.12] m, 73.0 [16.8] kg, Tegner Activity Scale 5.5 [1.1] points) participated. Participants performed a single-leg triple hop with and without a VCR dual task. The VCR task incorporated the FitLight system to challenge peripheral response inhibition and central working memory. Maximum hop distance, reaction time, cognitive errors, and physical errors were measured. Two identical testing visits were separated by 12 to 17 days (14 [1] d). Results: Traditional triple hop (intraclass correlation coefficients: ICC(3,1) =.96 [.91–.99]; standard error of the measurement = 16.99 cm) and the VCR triple hop (intraclass correlation coefficients(3,1) =.92 [.82–.97]; standard error of the measurement = 24.10 cm) both demonstrated excellent reliability for the maximum hop distance, and moderate reliability for the VCR triple hop reaction time (intraclass correlation coefficients(3,1) =.62 [.09–.84]; standard error of the measurement = 0.09 s). On average, the VCR triple hop resulted in a hop distance deficit of 8.17% (36.4 [5.1] cm; P <.05, d = 0.55) relative to the traditional triple hop. Conclusions: Hop distance on the VCR triple hop had excellent test–retest reliability and induced a significant physical performance deficit when compared with the traditional triple hop assessment. The VCR triple hop reaction time also demonstrated moderate reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both associated with impairment in executive function, particularly in complex attention. Although previous studies using clinical assessments have attempted to delineate differences between these disorders, the findings have been inconclusive. Our study aims to elucidate the differences of endophenotype between ASD, ADHD, and their co-occurring condition utilizing a uniform computerized test. Methods: The study included children diagnosed with ASD, ASD co-occurring with ADHD (ASD+ADHD), or ADHD who completed the comprehensive attention test (CAT) at Severance Hospital between October 2013 to May 2023. We excluded children with intellectual disability and comorbid major psychiatric or neurologic disorders possibly affecting attention measurement. The participants were categorized into three groups for the comparative analysis of CAT measures: (a) ASD (n=112), (b) ASD+ADHD (n=155), and (c) ADHD (n=104). The study also conducted an exploratory analysis utilizing multivariate linear regression analysis to examine the association between the CAT measures and parent-reported scales. Results: Notably, the ASD+ADHD and ADHD groups exhibited higher frequency of commission errors (CE) and perseveration errors (PE) compared to the ASD group. In the exploratory analysis, a significant negative association was observed between reaction time (RT) and both the social communication questionnaire (SCQ) and the child behavior checklist (CBCL) externalization scores in the ASD+ADHD and ADHD groups. The ASD+ADHD group tended to show higher standard deviation of reaction time (RTSD) compared to the ASD group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that impaired response inhibition is more pronounced in ADHD compared to ASD. We propose altered visual attention, reflecting response inhibition, may serve as potential endophenotypic markers differentiating ADHD from ASD in attentional assessment. Elevated RTSD in the ASD+ADHD group demonstrates additive pathology, suggesting that the neurological mechanisms underpinning impaired sustained attention may differ between the two conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic and lethal disease. Gasdermins are primarily associated with necrosis via membrane permeabilization and pyroptosis, a lytic pro‐inflammatory type of cell death. In this study, GSDMC upregulation during PDAC progression is reported. GSDMC directly induces genes related to stemness, EMT, and immune evasion. Targeting Gsdmc in murine PDAC models reprograms the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, rescuing the recruitment of anti‐tumor immune cells through CXCL9. This not only results in diminished tumor initiation, growth and metastasis, but also enhances the response to KRASG12D inhibition and PD‐1 checkpoint blockade, respectively. Mechanistically, it is discovered that ADAM17 cleaves GSDMC, releasing nuclear fragments binding to promoter regions of stemness, metastasis, and immune evasion‐related genes. Pharmacological inhibition of GSDMC cleavage or prevention of its nuclear translocation is equally effective in suppressing GSDMC's downstream targets and inhibiting PDAC progression. The findings establish GSDMC as a potential therapeutic target for enhancing treatment response in this deadly disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban stream syndrome is the collective term used to describe the physical and ecological degradation of streams draining urban lands that poses substantial threats to freshwater ecosystems. Among various consequences of urban expansion, microplastic pollution and shifts in predator–prey dynamics are prominent alterations to natural habitat that could impact the cognitive and behavioral responses of aquatic species. To explore how symptoms of urban stream syndrome impact the cognitive and behavioral responses of fish, we conducted two experiments using a delayed detour test to measure risk‐taking and inhibitory control in Gambusia affinis. In the first experiment, we hypothesized that G. affinis exposed to different concentrations of microplastics would show altered inhibitory control and risk‐taking. In the second experiment, we hypothesized that exposure to predator chemical cues during the detour task would alter inhibitory control and risk‐taking in G. affinis. We did not find significant differences in inhibitory control or risk‐taking in G. affinis exposed to microplastics or predator cues. We then compared the effect size and confidence intervals (CI) of these results with published results that used the same detour test to study inhibitory control and risk‐taking in G. affinis in response to different environmental conditions. Our investigations revealed that the CIs of the two studies presented here were larger than the CIs in the previously published studies. We consider potential changes to the experimental design that might have affected our ability to detect differences, such as the dimensions of the testing tanks. We also suggest extending the duration of the test to allow ample time for both exiting the starting chamber and solving the detour. We also propose considering the size and age of the species under study and adjusting the dimensions used in the detour paradigm design. Although our findings are specific to G. affinis, our results underscore the importance of considering aspects of the detour test design that are ecologically relevant to the study species when analysing cognitive and behavioral responses in fish. With our discussion, we contribute to the understanding of detour test methodologies and highlight potential ecological factors that could influence cognitive and behavioral outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioma stem‐like cell (GSC) inhibition is a promising strategy for glioblastoma therapy. However, it is hampered by two main obstacles: first, delivery barriers, including the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and deep tumor‐penetrating obstacles, hinder sufficient drug accumulation in GSCs that often reside in hypoxic niches deep in glioblastoma; second, hypoxia and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) limit the therapeutic responses of GSC inhibition strategies. An intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1)‐expressing M1 macrophage‐derived small extracellular vesicles loaded with a complex of bovine serum albumin, MnO2, and the small‐molecule inhibitor PTC209 (IsEV‐BMP) is constructed to achieve sequential barrier‐breaking delivery and simultaneous TME modulation to boost GSC inhibition. ICAM‐1 facilitates endothelial transcytosis‐mediated BBB crossing, microglial transcytosis‐mediated deep tumor penetration, and internalization of IsEV‐BMPs in GSCs. Hypoxia alleviation inhibits the binding of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) to hypoxia‐responsive elements on the gene promoters of cancer stem cell‐related markers and CD47 in GSCs, thereby improving PTC209 sensitivity and immune phagocytosis of GSCs. IsEV‐BMP achieves simultaneous microglial polarity transition and immuno‐microenvironmental modulation during microglial transcytosis‐mediated deep tumor penetration. This study provides a strategy to overcome the sequential delivery barrier for effective glioblastoma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition of CDK4/6 kinases has led to improved outcomes in breast cancer. Nevertheless, only a minority of patients experience long-term disease control. Using a large, clinically annotated cohort of patients with metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, we identify TP53 loss (27.6%) and MDM2 amplification (6.4%) to be associated with lack of long-term disease control. Human breast cancer models reveal that p53 loss does not alter CDK4/6 activity or G1 blockade but instead promotes drug-insensitive p130 phosphorylation by CDK2. The persistence of phospho-p130 prevents DREAM complex assembly, enabling cell-cycle re-entry and tumor progression. Inhibitors of CDK2 can overcome p53 loss, leading to geroconversion and manifestation of senescence phenotypes. Complete inhibition of both CDK4/6 and CDK2 kinases appears to be necessary to facilitate long-term response across genomically diverse HR+ breast cancers. [Display omitted] • TP53 mutation is associated with lack of long-term disease control on CDK4/6i • p53 deficiency suppresses DREAM complex in BC cells, enabling cell-cycle re-entry • Disruption of DREAM complex is sufficient to promote long-term CDK4/6i resistance • Inhibition of CDK2 overcomes p53 loss, promoting geroconversion and disease control Kudo et al. demonstrate that TP53 loss in HR+ breast cancer is clinically associated with long-term failure of CDK4/6i due to cellular escape from quiescence via impaired DREAM complex assembly. Selective CDK2 inhibition is found to reinforce p130 dephosphorylation in p53 mutant models and facilitate durable tumor growth suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measures of parasympathetic regulation, such as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), predict executive function outcomes, including inhibitory control, across childhood. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia augmentation tends to be associated with more maladaptive outcomes, compared to RSA suppression, but the literature regarding RSA profiles and inhibitory control development across infancy and early childhood is contradictory. The goal of our current study was to examine the longitudinal and interactive effects of infant RSA during a frustrating task with negative maternal characteristics on inhibitory control during early childhood. Participants included 410 children (209 girls, 77.6% White, 92.9% non‐Hispanic) and their mothers. With small to moderate effect sizes (r2 range from 0.124 to 0.143), we demonstrated that maternal negative affect when children were 36 months old moderated the association between 10‐month‐old RSA during a frustrating task and 48‐month‐old inhibitory control, such that RSA suppression predicted higher levels of inhibitory control, but only when mothers exhibited high levels of negative affect. Our results highlight the biosocial framework under which child inhibitory control develops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Method Results Conclusion Understanding the development of adolescent reward responsiveness and inhibitory control is important as they are implicated in key outcomes, such as depression. However, relatively few studies have examined the self‐reported experience of this development longitudinally, and past findings have been mixed. Here, we examined the longitudinal development of self‐reported reward responsiveness and inhibitory control in youth, as well as clinical and neural measures as predictors of these longitudinal trajectories.We assessed 223 youth aged 9–17 across 36 months. We modeled growth trajectories of several measures of reward responsiveness and inhibitory control using multilevel models. We tested reward‐related functional connectivity, depression symptoms, and parental risk for psychopathology as moderators of longitudinal growth.Self‐reported inhibitory control increased linearly across adolescence. However, contrary to hypotheses and common models of adolescent development, self‐reported reward responsiveness decreased linearly across adolescence. Baseline functional connectivity and clinical risk measures did not significantly moderate trajectories.Results suggest that within‐person changes in the phenomenological experience of reward responsiveness may not match developmental expectations based on cross‐sectional and neuroimaging studies. More attention is needed to the longitudinal study of subjective experience of reward responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders Revised (HTKS-R) as a measure of self-regulation in Brazilian children aged 3–5. The early childhood period is crucial for laying the foundations for personal, social and cognitive functioning, influencing development throughout life. Self-regulation, a malleable construct, plays a vital role in academic performance and behaviors throughout life. The HTKS-R, a widely used measure, assesses behavioral self-regulation, including cognitive flexibility, working memory and inhibitory control. The study included 379 children between the ages of 3 and 5 from a variety of backgrounds. Data were collected using the HTKS-R, a standardized self-report measure that integrates executive functions into a game to assess self-regulation. Exploratory Graphical Analysis (EGA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed to analyze the data. The results of the EGA and BootEGA indicated a unidimensional structure for the HTKS-R, confirming its internal consistency and stability. The CFA supported the fit of the unidimensional model, demonstrating the test’s construct validity. The HTKS-R showed factorial invariance between genders. The results suggest that the HTKS-R is a reliable and valid measure of self-regulation in Brazilian children aged 3–5. The applicability of the test in different age groups and environments provides valuable information about children’s self-regulation skills. The study contributes to the literature by validating the HTKS-R in the Brazilian context and highlights its potential for assessing self-regulation in diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with ADHD suffer from impaired attentional, executive, and emotional processing. This study aimed to compare attentional and executive processing using (non)emotional stimuli in children with and without ADHD. Eighty-five children with ADHD and 72 matched typically developing children performed the Stroop, continuous performance, and Go/No-Go tasks using (non)emotional stimuli. Greater performance in selective attention, inhibitory control, and sustained attention was found in emotional stimuli compared to non-emotional stimuli in both groups. Emotional stimuli facilitated attentional and executive functions in children with and without ADHD. Impaired attentional and executive functions in children with ADHD are not valence-sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic gain control of aversive signals enables adaptive behavioral responses. Although the role of amygdalar circuits in aversive processing is well established, the neural pathway for amplifying aversion remains elusive. Here, we show that the brainstem circuit linking the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) with the nucleus incertus (NI) amplifies aversion and promotes avoidant behaviors. IPN GABA neurons are activated by aversive stimuli and their predicting cues, with their response intensity closely tracking aversive values. Activating these neurons does not trigger aversive behavior on its own but rather amplifies responses to aversive stimuli, whereas their ablation or inhibition suppresses such responses. Detailed circuit dissection revealed anatomically distinct subgroups within the IPN GABA neuron population, highlighting the NI-projecting subgroup as the modulator of aversiveness related to fear and opioid withdrawal. These findings unveil the IPN-NI circuit as an aversion amplifier and suggest potential targets for interventions against affective disorders and opioid relapse. • IPN GABA neurons encode aversive value • The activity of these neurons amplifies aversive responses • The IPN-NI pathway controls aversive evaluation and fear learning • This pathway strengthens the aversive response to opioid withdrawal Liang et al. demonstrate that the brainstem circuit from the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) to the nucleus incertus (NI) is an aversion amplifier, offering potential therapeutic targets for affective disorders and opioid relapse prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Overweight and obesity are serious public health issues worldwide and significantly impair children's executive function (EF). However, there is no consensus regarding the benefits of aerobic exercise, on the EF of overweight and obese children. This study systematically evaluated the intervention effects of aerobic exercise on EF and its subcomponents (inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) in overweight and obese children. Methods: We searched six databases—PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCOhost, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure—until March 17, 2024 for randomized controlled trials examining the effects of aerobic exercise on the EF of overweight and obese children the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Following heterogeneity testing, RevMan 5.4 and Stata 17.0 were used for meta-analysis and subgroup analysis of the three indicators. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as statistical measures for effect analysis with the SMD value as the effect size and a p -value of ≤0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: Eighteen studies involving 1,260 participants were included. Aerobic exercise significantly improved overall EF (SMD = −0.50, 95% CI [−0.68, −0.32], p < 0.01) with a moderate to high positive effect on inhibitory control (SMD = −0.52, 95% CI [−0.72, −0.31], p < 0.01) and working memory (SMD = −0.63, 95% CI [−1.06, −0.20], p < 0.01) but not on cognitive flexibility (SMD = −0.32, 95% CI [−0.71, 0.07], p = 0.11). These results suggest that EF in overweight and obese children is influenced by factors such as exercise characteristics and body mass index (BMI). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant moderating effect of exercise type, exercise intensity, session time, and individual BMI on EF. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise selectively improved EF in overweight and obese children. Subgroup analysis indicated that cognitive engagement in ball game interventions of at least moderate intensity and a single session of 25–40 min are more beneficial for improving EF in overweight and obese children. Extremely obese children (BMI > 25 kg/m2) do not benefit from the intervention, highlighting the need for a specific focus on intervention outcomes in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The development of reading and complex executive functions is fundamental for achieving social, academic, and professional success. So far, there is no single neuropsychological instrument that comprehensively assesses the domains of inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and reading comprehension. To assess executive functions related to reading, the "Assessment of Reading and Executive Functions" (AREF) was developed. In this study, we show initial evidence of validity and reliability for four subtests - Graphophonological-Semantic Flexibility, Inhibitory Control, Flexibility, and Working Memory. Methods: A total of 93 students from 4th to 9th grade, aged 8-14, in public (n = 61) and private (n = 32) schools were evaluated. Tasks from the AREF instrument, as well as measures of reading comprehension, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and intelligence, were administered. Correlations between AREF scores and the other measures were performed to assess external construct validity. Performance differences between school groups on AREF subtests were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, and Mann-Whitney tests, and the internal consistency of the instrument's tasks was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: The scores of the AREF subtests demonstrated significant positive correlations with reading measures (ranging from 0.339 to 0.367) and executive functions (ranging from 0.209 to 0.396). Significant differences were found in the performance of some AREF tasks when comparing individuals from public and private schools, as well as between 4th and 5th graders compared to students in higher grades. The internal consistency of the tasks was low for Graphophonological-Semantic Flexibility (Cronbach's α = 0.566), moderate for Inhibitory Control and Flexibility (Cronbach's α = 0.768), and high for Working Memory (Cronbach's α = 0.881). Discussion: The results provide initial evidence of construct validity and reliability for the AREF subtests. It is expected that this new neuropsychological test will contribute to the assessment of reading skills and executive functions, assisting in guiding clinical and educational interventions for individuals with and without neurodevelopmental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand human learning and progress, it is crucial to understand curiosity. But how consistent is curiosity's conception and assessment across scientific research disciplines? We present the results of a large collaborative project assessing the correspondence between curiosity measures in personality psychology and cognitive science. A total of 820 participants completed 15 personality trait measures and 9 cognitive tasks that tested multiple aspects of information demand. We show that shared variance across the cognitive tasks was captured by a dimension reflecting directed (uncertainty-driven) versus random (stochasticity-driven) exploration and individual differences along this axis were significantly and consistently predicted by personality traits. However, the personality metrics that best predicted information demand were not the central curiosity traits of openness to experience, deprivation sensitivity, and joyous exploration, but instead included more peripheral curiosity traits (need for cognition, thrill seeking, and stress tolerance) and measures not traditionally associated with curiosity (extraversion and behavioral inhibition). The results suggest that the umbrella term "curiosity" reflects a constellation of cognitive and emotional processes, only some of which are shared between personality measures and cognitive tasks. The results reflect the distinct methods that are used in these fields, indicating a need for caution in comparing results across fields and for future interdisciplinary collaborations to strengthen our emerging understanding of curiosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance threatens human health. While more sophisticated strategies for antibiotic discovery are being developed, target elucidation of new chemical entities remains challenging. In the postgenomic era, expression profiling can play an important role in mechanism-of-action (MOA) prediction by reporting on the cellular response to perturbation. However, the broad application of transcriptomics has yet to fulfill its promise of transforming target elucidation due to challenges in identifying the most relevant, direct responses to target inhibition. We developed an unbiased strategy for MOA prediction, called perturbation-specific transcriptional mapping (PerSpecTM), in which large-throughput expression profiling of wild-type or hypomorphic mutants, depleted for essential targets, enables a computational strategy to address this challenge. We applied PerSpecTM to perform reference-based MOA prediction based on the principle that similar perturbations, whether chemical or genetic, will elicit similar transcriptional responses. Using this approach, we elucidated the MOAs of three molecules with activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by comparing their expression profiles to those of a reference set of antimicrobial compounds with known MOAs. We also show that transcriptional responses to small-molecule inhibition resemble those resulting from genetic depletion of essential targets by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference (CRISPRi) by PerSpecTM, demonstrating proof of concept that correlations between expression profiles of small-molecule and genetic perturbations can facilitate MOA prediction when no chemical entities exist to serve as a reference. Empowered by PerSpecTM, this work lays the foundation for an unbiased, readily scalable, systematic reference-based strategy for MOA elucidation that could transform antibiotic discovery efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the extended amygdala and amygdala in mediating emotion and inhibitory control in native language versus second language processing is currently not well understood. The current study examined activity in the extended amygdala and amygdala when twelve healthy young adults were exposed to emotional-linguistic stimuli in either their native language (i.e., Japanese) or in a second language (i.e., English) using a go/no-go task while undergoing fMRI scans. Data was bootstrapped using random resampling. A significant interaction was observed for the amygdala and extended amygdala activity for language (English vs. Japanese), emotional-linguistic valence (positive, negative, neutral) and inhibitory control (go/no-go condition). Furthermore, main effects were observed for language and valence for the amygdala and extended amygdala. Main effects were observed for inhibitory control for the extended amygdala and right amygdala but not for the left amygdala, which did not show a main effect for inhibitory control. Significant interactions and main effects were also observed for behavioral outcomes (go/no-go reaction time and accuracy scores) for the amygdala and extended amygdala. Post hoc analyses found that under conditions of inhibitory control participants had less activation in the extended amygdala and amygdala when processing emotional information in English (i.e., second language) compared to Japanese (i.e., native language). In summary, our findings suggest that the amygdala and extended amygdala may mediate emotion and inhibitory control when participants process information in their native (Japanese) versus a second language (English). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marmosets are expected to serve as a valuable model for studying the primate visuomotor system due to their similar oculomotor behaviors to humans and macaques. Despite these similarities, differences exist; challenges in training marmosets on tasks requiring suppression of unwanted saccades, having consistently shorter, yet more variable saccade reaction times (SRT) compared to humans and macaques. This study investigates whether the short and variable SRT in marmosets is related to differences in visual signal transduction and variability in inhibitory control. We refined a computational SRT model, adjusting parameters to better capture the marmoset SRT distribution in a gap saccade task. Our findings indicate that visual information processing is faster in marmosets, and that saccadic inhibition is more variable compared to other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cathepsins, a family of lysosomal peptidases, play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating protein turnover and degradation as well as many specific regulatory actions that are important for proper cell function and human health. Alterations in the activity and expression of cathepsins have been observed in many diseases such as cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, bone remodelling-related conditions and others. These changes are not exclusively harmful, but rather appear to be a compensatory response on the lack of one cathepsin in order to maintain tissue integrity. The upregulation of specific cathepsins in response to the inhibition or dysfunction of other cathepsins suggests a fine-tuned system of proteolytic balance and understanding the compensatory role of cathepsins may improve therapeutic potential of cathepsin's inhibitors. Selectively targeting one cathepsin or modulating their activity could offer new treatment strategies for a number of diseases. This review emphasises the need for comprehensive research into cathepsin biology in the context of disease. The identification of the specific cathepsins involved in compensatory responses, the elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms and the development of targeted interventions could lead to innovative therapeutic approaches. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, the external globus pallidus (GPe) has been viewed as a passive way‐station in the indirect pathway of the cortico‐basal ganglia‐thalamic (CBGT) circuit, sandwiched between striatal inputs and basal ganglia outputs. According to this model, one‐way descending striatal signals in the indirect pathway amplify the suppression of downstream thalamic nuclei by inhibiting GPe activity. Here, we revisit this assumption, in light of new and emerging work on the cellular complexity, connectivity and functional role of the GPe in behaviour. We show how, according to this new circuit‐level logic, the GPe is ideally positioned for relaying ascending and descending control signals within the basal ganglia. Focusing on the problem of inhibitory control, we illustrate how this bidirectional flow of information allows for the integration of reactive and proactive control mechanisms during action selection. Taken together, this new evidence points to the GPe as being a central hub in the CBGT circuit, participating in bidirectional information flow and linking multifaceted control signals to regulate behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study undertook neuropharmacological research on the clinical course of controlled medication discontinuation to guide practitioners who are considering stopping medications for youths with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study analyzed the data for 14 ADHD children (12 male and 2 female) in two datasets: The children prescribed methylphenidate (MPH) were at an initial mean age of 7.5 years (SD = 1.70, range: 6–11) with a mean ADHD-Rating Score (ADHD-RS) of 26.6 (SD = 8.64, range 15–40). The children who discontinued MPH based on clinical judgment were at a mean age of 12.21 years (SD = 2.12, range: 8–15) with a mean ADHD-RS of 15.9 (SD = 6.86, range 5–27). The go/no-go task was used to assess response inhibition, while functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure cerebral hemodynamics. Oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) values from fNIRS data were analyzed for each subject, focusing on past and current measurements. Baseline was set at 10 s pre-task, with interval means from 4 to 24 s analyzed. One-sample t -tests were used to evaluate brain activity magnitude. The results of the study demonstrate that the children who had discontinued the medication exhibited activation in specific brain regions including the frontopolar cortex and the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. Activation (t = 2.363, p = 0.034, Cohen's d = 0.632) was found especially in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the performance of the go/no-go task. These activated areas were consistent with those observed in a previous study comparing brain activity during a go/no-go task between children with ADHD and healthy children. The present study showed differences in cerebral hemodynamics before and after discontinuation of MPH in ADHD children whose ADHD symptoms did not recur after MPH was discontinued. In the near future, further investigations that include control groups will be conducted to demonstrate the effects of MPH prior to discontinuation based on the changes in cerebral blood flow in the right prefrontal cortex, which is involved in behavioral inhibition, as observed in this study. This and future research will facilitate the development of criteria for discontinuing treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Significance Application of cluster analytic procedures has advanced understanding of the cognitive heterogeneity inherent in diverse epilepsy syndromes and the associated clinical and neuroimaging features. Application of this unsupervised machine learning approach to the neuropsychological performance of persons with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) has yet to be attempted, which is the intent of this investigation.A total of 77 JME participants, 19 unaffected siblings, and 44 unrelated controls, 12 to 25 years of age, were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery (intelligence, language, memory, executive function, and processing speed), which was subjected to factor analysis followed by K‐means clustering of the resultant factor scores. Identified cognitive phenotypes were characterized and related to clinical, family, sociodemographic, and cortical and subcortical imaging features.Factor analysis revealed three underlying cognitive dimensions (general ability, speed/response inhibition, and learning/memory), with JME participants performing worse than unrelated controls across all factor scores, and unaffected siblings performing worse than unrelated controls on the general mental ability and learning/memory factors, with no JME vs sibling differences. K‐means clustering of the factor scores revealed three latent groups including above average (31.4% of participants), average (52.1%), and abnormal performance (16.4%). Participant groups differed in their distributions across the latent groups (p < 0.001), with 23% JME, 22% siblings, and 2% unrelated controls in the abnormal performance group; and 18% JME, 21% siblings, and 59% unrelated controls in the above average group. Clinical epilepsy variables were unassociated with cluster membership, whereas family factors (lower parental education) and abnormally increased thickness and/or volume in the frontal, parietal, and temporal‐occipital regions were associated with the abnormal cognition group.Distinct cognitive phenotypes characterize the spectrum of neuropsychological performance of patients with JME for which there is familial (sibling) aggregation. Phenotypic membership was associated with parental (education) and imaging characteristics (increased cortical thickness and volume) but not basic clinical seizure features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current treatment of major depressive disorder is facing challenges, including a low remission rate, late onset of efficacy, and worsening severity due to comorbid symptoms such as psychosis and cognitive dysfunction. Serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission is involved in a wide variety of psychiatric diseases and its potential as a drug target continues to attract attention. Objectives: The present study elucidates the effects of a novel 5-HT modulator, DSP-6745, on depression and its comorbid symptoms. Results: In vitro radioligand binding and functional assays showed that DSP-6745 is a potent inhibitor of 5-HT transporter and 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT7 receptors. In vivo, DSP-6745 (6.4 and 19.1 mg/kg as free base, p.o.) increased the release of not only 5-HT, norepinephrine, and dopamine, but also glutamate in the medial prefrontal cortex. The results of in vivo mouse phenotypic screening by SmartCube® suggested that DSP-6745 has a behavioral signature combined with antidepressant-, anxiolytic-, and antipsychotic-like signals. A single oral dose of DSP-6745 (6.4 and 19.1 mg/kg) showed rapid antidepressant-like efficacy in the rat forced swim test, even at 24 h post-dosing, and anxiolytic activity in the rat social interaction test. Moreover, DSP-6745 (12.7 mg/kg, p.o.) led to an improvement in the apomorphine-induced prepulse inhibition deficit in rats. In the marmoset object retrieval with detour task, which is used to assess cognitive functions such as attention and behavioral inhibition, DSP-6745 (7.8 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced cognition. Conclusions: These data suggest that DSP-6745 is a multimodal 5-HT receptor antagonist and a 5-HT transporter inhibitor and has the potential to be a rapid acting antidepressant with efficacies in mitigating the comorbid symptoms of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young children's lie‐telling behavior is associated with their theory of mind (ToM) development. However, current evidence is primarily based on cross‐sectional studies, with very little longitudinal evidence on the causal relation between the two constructs. The current study provided much‐needed cross‐lagged longitudinal evidence on the association between ToM and lying in young children. Adopting a short‐term longitudinal design, we tested 104 normally developing children's (64 boys, M = 54.0 months) false belief understanding and lie‐telling behaviors three times at 4‐month intervals. Results showed the cross‐lagged model fit the data well. Lie‐telling behaviors exhibited moderate stability across the three time points, while ToM exhibited moderate stability between the first two time points but not between Time 2 and Time 3. Earlier false belief understanding significantly predicted children's later lie‐telling behavior, controlling for family socioeconomic status, child age, gender, only child status, and Time 1 verbal ability and inhibitory control. On the contrary, earlier lie‐telling did not predict later false beliefs understanding. We concluded that earlier false belief understanding predicts later lie‐telling behavior in preschool children, but not vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding what others think and feel, an essential ingredient of social functioning, develops early on, allowing children to understand and evaluate other people's actions. To assess whether those actions break or uphold moral rules (moral judgments), children must consider the agent's intentions and whether the action harms or helps others. The present study investigated longitudinally the changes and interrelations between cognitive and affective perspective‐taking and moral evaluations in 3‐ to 5‐year‐old preschoolers (N = 92, 43 girls). We assessed children's first‐order theory of mind and their ability to understand other people's emotions. Next, we presented them with two moral stories which measured how children evaluated the "good" or "bad" nature of the character's intention, and whether the character deserved to be punished. Controlling for inhibitory control—which is thought to help individuals integrate information about intention—and for time across development, our main findings showed that moral judgment was positively associated with theory of mind and that both moral judgment and punishment were positively associated with the ability to understand other people's emotions. There were developmental effects for each of the measured variables, improvements being visible 15 months later, especially in the case of the theory of mind and punishment attributions. We discuss our findings in light of recent models of moral judgment regarding the processes involved in children's moral judgments and put forward future methodological directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response inhibition is a crucial component of executive control. Although mainly studied in upper limb tasks, it is fully implicated in gait initiation. Here, we assessed the influence of proactive and reactive inhibitory control during gait initiation in healthy adult participants. For this purpose, we measured kinematics and electroencephalography (EEG) activity (event‐related potential [ERP] and time‐frequency data) during a modified Go/NoGo gait initiation task in 23 healthy adults. The task comprised Go‐certain, Go‐uncertain, and NoGo conditions. Each trial included preparatory and imperative stimuli. Our results showed that go‐uncertainty resulted in delayed reaction time, without any difference for the other parameters of gait initiation. Proactive inhibition, that is, Go uncertain versus Go certain conditions, influenced EEG activity as soon as the preparatory stimulus. Moreover, both proactive and reactive inhibition influenced the amplitude of the ERPs (central P1, occipito‐parietal N1, and N2/P3) and theta and alpha/low beta band activities in response to the imperative—Go‐uncertain versus Go‐certain and NoGo versus Go‐uncertain—stimuli. These findings demonstrate that the uncertainty context; induced proactive inhibition, as reflected in delayed gait initiation. Proactive and reactive inhibition elicited extended and overlapping modulations of ERP and time‐frequency activities. This study shows the protracted influence of inhibitory control in gait initiation. We studied proactive and reactive inhibition in a Go/NoGo gait initiation task manipulating the uncertainty context of Go trials. Proactive inhibition (Go‐uncertain vs. ‐certain) induced delayed onset of anticipatory postural adjustments of gait. We showed intricated and extended electroencephalography signatures of proactive and reactive inhibition in both the event‐related potentials and time‐frequency domains, uncovering a tight interplay between the release of proactive inhibition, the setting of reactive inhibition, action selection, and gait initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine how malingered PTSD behavior affects the performance of a continuous performance task (CPT). An analog trauma group, two malingering groups (with or without educational intervention), and a control group were organized according to simulation design. During the CPT, the numbers of errors and response time indicators along with post-error slowing (PES) and recovery (PER) process were measured. Results are as follows: First, the analog trauma group showed deficits of response inhibition and a higher level of PES compared to the control group. Second, malingered PTSD caused a significant number of errors, inconsistent performance, and no PES. Third, there was a significantly more impaired and inconsistent performance in the low level of knowledge of disability. Finally, a discriminant accuracy of more than 90% appeared in the discriminant analysis of all group comparison conditions. Taken together, the results of this study show that post-error behavior indicators are affected by malingered PTSD, and differences according to the degree of knowledge of PTSD can also be confirmed. These results are expected to be used as basic data for the development of tasks for the detection of malingerers in clinical scenes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine the key factors influencing young drivers' hazard avoidance in Iran. In this study, a hazard avoidance index is defined and calculated for investigating the effect of impulsiveness, behavioral, and psychological characteristics on driving hazard avoidance. A questionnaire and go-no-go and flanker computer tests as well as a driving simulator are used for collecting data from 173 Iranian drivers under the age of 30. For this purpose, different scenarios were used, such as pedestrian crossing, the presence of fixed obstacles, and animals crossing the road, whose various characteristics are also changed. Structural equation modeling and the partial least squares method are applied for investigating the relationship between different variables and the hazard avoidance index. The results show that the driver hazard avoidance index is mostly affected by variables such as inhibitory control, opposite directional response, attentional impulsiveness, motion impulsiveness, non-planning impulsiveness, disregarding the law, and lapses and error. The results could help policymakers to assess diving hazard avoidance and improve training programs related to traffic safety based on the variables that are more effective on inexperienced and novice drivers' hazard avoidance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• LPA promotes the migration of skeletal muscle-isolated FAPs through LPA 1 signaling. • YAP activity is required for LPA-induced migration of FAPs. • FAPs isolated from dystrophic muscle possess an enhanced migration response to LPA, behavior which can be blocked by inhibiting LPA 1/3 or YAP activity. Skeletal muscle fibrosis is defined as the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and is a hallmark of muscular dystrophies. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are the main source of ECM, and thus have been strongly implicated in fibrogenesis. In skeletal muscle fibrotic models, including muscular dystrophies, FAPs undergo dysregulations in terms of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, however few studies have explored the impact of FAPs migration. Here, we studied fibroblast and FAPs migration and identified lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a signaling lipid central to skeletal muscle fibrogenesis, as a significant migration inductor. We identified LPA receptor 1 (LPA 1) mediated signaling as crucial for this effect through a mechanism dependent on the Hippo pathway, another pathway implicated in fibrosis across diverse tissues. This cross-talk favors the activation of the Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), leading to increased expression of fibrosis-associated genes. This study reveals the role of YAP in LPA-mediated fibrotic responses as inhibition of YAP transcriptional coactivator activity hinders LPA-induced migration in fibroblasts and FAPs. Moreover, we found that FAPs derived from the mdx 4cv mice, a murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, display a heightened migratory phenotype due to enhanced LPA signaling compared to wild-type FAPs. Remarkably, we found that the inhibition of LPA 1 or YAP transcriptional coactivator activity in mdx 4cv FAPs reverts this phenotype. In summary, the identified LPA-LPA 1 -YAP pathway emerges as a critical driver of skeletal muscle FAPs migration and provides insights into potential novel targets to mitigate fibrosis in muscular dystrophies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the central assumptions in Cognitive Linguistics is that the cognitive mechanisms underlying our language use are domain-general and thus apply to human behavior beyond language. Examples of such cognitive mechanisms are, among others, our ability to focus attention, to memorize and categorize, as well as processes related to chunking, generalization, and inhibitory control. Testing this core assumption, however, is often difficult, as it requires us to move beyond linguistic research and to actively look for links between our language use and other areas of human cognition. This paper is an illustration of what such links could look like, particularly focusing on links between research on (Dutch-German) language contact and expert behavior. In doing so, it shows (a) that there are many shared links, for example, regarding the cognitive mechanisms of entrenchment and chunking, and (b) that these shared links (as well as potential differences across the fields) can be used to improve our linguistic theorizing. In particular, I argue that linguistic research can benefit from the insights from research on expert behavior, especially from its more advanced insights modelling individual variation, and that the shared links can help us to test the core assumption that the cognitive mechanisms underlying our language use are indeed domain-general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The neurobiological mechanisms underpinning binge eating disorder (BED) in children remain largely unclear, as the alterations that have been identified to date may be attributable to BED, obesity, or compound effects. This study aimed to delineate functional connectivity (FC) patterns in inhibitory control and reward networks in preadolescent children with and without BED from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study according to BMI. Methods: Resting‐state FC was examined in the inhibitory control network by using seeds in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the posterior cingulate cortex, whereas the reward network included seeds in the orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and amygdala. Seed‐to‐voxel analyses characterized FC differences between preadolescent children with BED with a high BMI and those with BED with a low BMI. Results: We identified that BED was characterized by reduced connectivity between the reward network and regions in the default mode network, irrespective of weight status. Participants with BED also presented with hypoconnectivity in fronto‐amygdalar circuits, which has been consistently associated with impaired emotion regulation capacity. Conclusions: Our findings support that FC alterations between the reward network and the default mode network may be specifically impacted by the presence of BED as opposed to weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: White noise stimulation has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing working memory in children with ADHD. However, its impact on other executive functions commonly affected by ADHD, such as inhibitory control, remains largely unexplored. This research aims to explore the effects of two types of white noise stimulation on oculomotor inhibitory control in children with ADHD. Method: Memory guided saccade (MGS) and prolonged fixation (PF) performance was compared between children with ADHD (N = 52) and typically developing controls (TDC, N = 45), during auditory and visual white noise stimulation as well as in a no noise condition. Results: Neither the auditory nor the visual white noise had any beneficial effects on performance for either group. Conclusions: White noise stimulation does not appear to be beneficial for children with ADHD in tasks that target oculomotor inhibitory control. Potential explanations for this lack of noise benefit will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Findings: Executive Function (EF) and Early Math (EM) are foundational skills for children's school success. Interventions have shown to foster these skills, but their effectiveness in less developed countries remains unknown. This study examined the initial efficacy of an eight-week EF and an EM skills program for young Iranian children at risk for mathematical difficulties. Participants included 88 five- to six-year-old children who were randomly assigned into three conditions: Business-As-Usual (BAU) control group, EF training group, or an EM training group. The experimental groups received 24 sessions over two months. In the EF group, children had significantly higher working memory and planning scores at posttest, which were stable five months later. No significant group difference was found on inhibitory control. In the EM group, children demonstrated stronger math performance compared to BAU children at the posttest and follow-up, suggesting stable math improvement. There was no significant effect of EF training on math performance or significant effect of math training on EF skills. Practice or Policy: Findings suggest that the EF training was related to stronger EF and EM training was related to better math performance. However, there were no significant transfer effects of EF on math and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to remember and realize one’s intentions in the future; therefore, it is crucial for the daily functioning of children and adolescents and their ability to become independent from caregivers. PM errors can have repercussions during childhood, such as influencing school performance and social relationships. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize studies analysing PM in children and adolescents (age range: 0–16 years) following PRISMA guidelines. The goal was to outline the most commonly used tasks, offering information on the development of PM, and— through a detailed analysis of the assessment of specific cognitive processes carried out in the primary studies included—providing information on the main cognitive processes involved in PM within this age group. Forty-nine studies were selected that examined PM in children and adolescents with typical development. The studies used many different tasks that can be traced back to eleven different main paradigms to evaluate PM, each structured into a PM and an ongoing task. Older children performed better on PM targets than younger children, suggesting a developmental trajectory of PM that follows a J-shaped function. Children as young as 2 years old exhibited the first signs of PM, while adolescents performed similarly to adults on PM tasks. Several factors are involved in PM development: retrospective memory, executive functions (planning, working memory, inhibitory control, monitoring), attention, metamemory, and motivation. This review May be considered a starting point to summarize the most used tools to evaluate PM in children and adolescents, and to shed light on the primary cognitive functions involved in PM, potentially offering indications to researchers in selecting optimal tasks for measuring PM across different age groups. Additionally, it underscores the importance of developing standardized measures for potential clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-control allows animals to resist instant gratification and invest more time and/or energy in better outcomes. However, widespread temporal self-control tasks lack ecological validity for many species, and few studies have explored whether self-control can be measured in the wild. We used a spatial discounting task resembling natural foraging decisions to measure self-control in wild toutouwai (Petroica longipes), a songbird endemic to New Zealand. Birds chose between a near, low-quality food item and a high-quality food item further away. Toutouwai showed striking individual variation in their self-control abilities. Validation tests suggested that our task reliably measured self-control in a spatial foraging context. However, individual-level performance was confounded by food preferences and the satiation and/or learning effects associated with increasing trial number, limiting the applicability of this task as a measure of individual variation in self-control. Nonetheless, we found no correlation between an individual's self-control and their inhibitory control measured using a detour task, suggesting that self-control is a distinct ability from the suppression of impulsive motor actions in toutouwai. This study demonstrates for the first time that a bird is capable of self-control in a spatial context and provides suggestions for how future researchers may robustly quantify individual differences in self-control in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematics, along with reading and writing, is a core academic subject in the school curriculum. The development of mathematical skills is influenced by various cognitive factors, with executive functions (EF) playing a central role. EF, which encompasses working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, is critical for supporting complex cognitive processes required for problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. Research consistently shows that children with stronger EF tend to achieve better academic outcomes, including in mathematics. The goal of the present study was to examine the relationships between the global EF and its three core components – working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility – and their impact on mathematics achievement. The sample for this study consisted of 180 children, aged 8–11 years (mean age: 9.6, SD: 1.0 year; 83 girls, 97 boys). EF was assessed using the Yellow-Red test, while mathematics achievement was evaluated based on teachers’ evaluations of the child’s mathematics performance. The results indicated a statistically significant effect of global EF and its three components on mathematics achievement. Given the potential malleability of EFs, we conclude with recommendations for strategies to enhance EF development at an early school age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TGFβ receptor inhibitor galunisertib showed promising efficacy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the phase 2 H9H-MC-JBAJ study. Identifying biomarkers for this treatment remains essential. Baseline plasma levels of chemokine CCL3 were integrated with clinical outcomes in PDAC patients treated with galunisertib plus gemcitabine (n = 104) or placebo plus gemcitabine (n = 52). High CCL3 was a poor prognostic factor in the placebo group (mOS 3.6 vs. 10.1 months; p < 0.01) but a positive predictor for galunisertib (mOS 9.2 vs. 3.6 months; p < 0.01). Mechanistically, tumor-derived CCL3 activates Tgfβ signaling in macrophages, inducing their M2 phenotype and Lif secretion, sustaining a mesenchymal/basal-like ecotype. TGFβ inhibition redirects macrophage polarization to M1, reducing Lif and shifting PDAC cells to a more epithelial/classical phenotype, improving gemcitabine sensitivity. This study supports exploring TGFβ-targeting agents in PDAC with a mesenchymal/basal-like ecotype driven by high CCL3 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A growing body of literature links prenatal mood and substance use to children's cognitive and behavioral development. The relative contribution of these risk factors on children's executive function (EF) in the context of socioeconomic adversities needs further evaluation. To address this gap, we investigated the role of prenatal maternal anxiety and depression on childhood EF, specifically inhibitory control and working memory, within the context of socioeconomic adversities and prenatal substance use. We hypothesized that higher maternal mood symptoms, higher persistent prenatal drinking and smoking, and lower socioeconomic status would be associated with lower EF skills during early childhood. Methods: We used data from 334 mother–child dyads followed prospectively through pregnancy and the offspring's childhood. Prenatal maternal depression and anxiety were assessed via standardized questionnaires. Prenatal alcohol and tobacco consumption were assessed via a timeline follow-back interview. The EF touch battery assessed child inhibitory control and working memory at 3–5 years of age (4.76 ± 0.58 years, 171 females). Separate linear regression models were used to estimate the association of prenatal tobacco, alcohol, anxiety, and depression exposure with our two components of child EF, inhibitory control and working memory, while adjusting for gestational age, sex, and age at assessment. The following variables were also included as covariates: maternal educational achievement, employment status, parity, and household crowding index. Results: Children of mothers with high trait anxiety scores had reduced inhibitory control compared to children of mothers without trait anxiety or depression (β = -0.12, 95% CI:-0.22,-0.01). Children of mothers in the moderate to high continuous smoking group showed lower inhibitory control (β = − 0.19, 95% CI:-0.38,-0.01) compared to children of mothers in the none smoking group. Additionally, lower maternal education and higher household crowding were each associated with reduced inhibitory control. We found no significant association between prenatal maternal depression, anxiety, or socioeconomic factors with working memory. Conclusions: These results underscore the need for comprehensive context-specific intervention packages, including mental health support for women to promote healthy inhibitory control development in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can the relationship between intelligence and prosocial behavior in children be moderated by the personality trait of reward/punishment sensitivity? To answer the question, we utilized data from the ABCD study, which included a total of 10,606 children aged 9 to 11 years. Prosocial behavior was assessed using a shortened subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Fluid and crystallized intelligence were evaluated using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox, which includes seven tests designed to measure different cognitive aspects. Reward sensitivity and punishment sensitivity were assessed by the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scale. Through moderation analysis, we discovered significant interactions between fluid intelligence and reward sensitivity, between crystallized intelligence and reward sensitivity, as well as between crystallized intelligence and punishment sensitivity, in relation to children's prosocial behavior. Specifically, at low level of reward sensitivity, high level of fluid or crystallized intelligence was associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in prosocial behavior compared to low level. However, when reward sensitivity or punishment sensitivity was at high level, high level of crystallized intelligence was related to decreased prosocial behavior. These findings indicated that the relationship between children's intelligence and prosocial behavior could be influenced by reward sensitivity or punishment sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory of Mind (ToM), the ability to understand others' thoughts and emotions, is crucial for social interaction. However, few longitudinal studies have explored ToM development within different social domains, particularly among rural populations. To address this gap, we conducted a study with 113 preschoolers aged 3–5 years from rural China. We assessed ToM development in different social domains using false belief tasks at three different time points with semester intervals, and we evaluated their performance on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and inhibitory control (IC). Results showed that ToM development trajectories differ across domains, with moral and social‐conventional domains developing earlier than the personal domain. Additionally, while general cognitive skills such as language and IC are associated with ToM development across these domains, they do not significantly predict it. This study enhances our understanding of ToM development by emphasizing the importance of including rural samples in developmental research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjective: This proof-of-concept study aimed to characterize semantic memory profiles in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and mild neurocognitive impairment. Method: Using a semantic relatedness task, we explored conceptual association and word selection patterns in people living with HIV (PLWH; n = 50) relative to people living without HIV (n = 46). We also studied whether word selection patterns in the PLWH group were associated with working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. Results: While accuracy did not differ between groups, PLWH produced significantly longer responses than controls (r = .32), with fewer hypernyms (d = .47), more troponyms (r = .37), and words that were more frequent (r = .39) and had more phonological neighbors (r = .22). These patterns survived covariation with participants’ cognitive status. None of these patterns correlated with measures of working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control or viral load (all correlation coefficients < .36). Conclusions: Together, these results suggest that PLWH might use alternative word finding strategies during semantic memory navigation, irrespective of the severity of other cognitive symptoms. Such findings contribute to the characterization of cognitive deficits in HIV and to the search for novel markers of the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have reported that long-term sports training can affect inhibitory control and induce brain functional alterations. However, the influence of environmental dynamics in sports training on inter-cortical connectivity has not been well studied. In the current study, we used twin-coil transcranial magnetic stimulation to investigate the functional connectivity between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1) during proactive and reactive inhibition in participants with sports skills in dynamic environment (open-skill experts), stable environment (closed-skill experts), and no sports skills (controls). Using a modified stop signal task, proactive inhibition was measured by the response delay effect (RDE), and reactive inhibition was measured by the stop-signal reaction time (SSRT). Intra-hemispheric DLPFC-M1 interactions and single pulse motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured during the task. A stronger inhibitory effect of the DLPFC over M1 was observed during early reactive control stages compared to baseline levels. In addition, this inhibitory effect was pronounced when comparing open-skill experts to non-athlete controls, a relationship that was significantly correlated with superior reactive control performance. Furthermore, DLPFC to M1 influencing direction shifted from late proactive control to reactive control. Behavioral results also demonstrated enhanced proactive control abilities in open-skill experts relative to controls. Such enhancement may be due to the combination of environmental complexity and physical fitness in long-term skill training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is robust evidence implicating inhibitory deficits as a fundamental behavioural phenotype in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, prior studies have not directly investigated the role in which white matter properties within the fronto‐basal‐ganglia circuit may play in the development of inhibitory control deficits in this group. Combining recent advancements in brain‐behavioural modelling, we mapped the development of stop‐signal task (SST) performance and fronto‐basal‐ganglia maturation in a longitudinal sample of children aged 9–14 with and without ADHD. In a large sample of 135 ADHD and 138 non‐ADHD children, we found that the ADHD group had poorer inhibitory control (i.e., longer stop‐signal reaction times) across age compared to non‐ADHD controls. When applying the novel parametric race model, this group effect was driven by higher within‐subject variability (sigma) and higher number of extreme responses (tau) on stop trials. The ADHD group also displayed higher within‐subject variability on correct responses to go stimuli. Moreover, we observed the ADHD group committing more task‐based failures such as responding on stop trials (trigger failures) and omissions on go trials (go failures) compared to non‐ADHD controls, suggesting the contribution of attentional lapses to poorer response inhibition performance. In contrast, longitudinal modelling of fixel‐based analysis measures revealed no significant group differences in the maturation of fronto‐basal‐ganglia fibre cross‐section in a subsample (74 ADHD and 73 non‐ADHD children). Finally, brain‐behavioural models revealed that age‐related changes in fronto‐basal‐ganglia morphology (fibre cross‐section) were significantly associated with reductions in the variability of the correct go‐trial responses (sigma.true) and skew of the stop‐trial distribution (tauS). However, this effect did not differ between ADHD and typically developing children. Overall, our findings support the growing consensus suggesting that attentional deficits subserve ADHD‐related inhibitory dysfunction. Furthermore, we show novel evidence suggesting that while children with ADHD are consistently performing worse on the SST than their non‐affected peers, they appear to have comparable rates of neurocognitive maturation across this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deception, a complex aspect of human behavior, is inherently difficult to detect directly. A valid alternative involves memory detection, particularly through methods such as the Reaction-Time based Concealed Information Test (RT-CIT). The RT-CIT assesses whether an individual possesses specific knowledge by presenting various probe (familiar) items amidst irrelevant (unfamiliar) items. The task-required "unfamiliar" response to probes may induce a response conflict. Resolving this conflict, by inhibiting the automatic "familiar" response, takes time and slows probe RTs–a phenomenon known as the RT-CIT effect. Notably, secondary psychopathy is characterized by disinhibition and impulsivity, traits which may hinder the ability to effectively manage experienced conflict. Therefore, we hypothesized that secondary psychopathy would be associated with an elevated RT-CIT effect. To investigate this hypothesized relation, we conducted a pre-registered study (n = 86, student sample), employing a novel CIT paradigm that incorporates no-go trials to assess response inhibition capacity. Psychopathic traits were measured using the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy (LSRP) scale, while the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) assessed impulsivity. The novel CIT paradigm revealed impressive detection efficiency. However, contrary to our expectations, we observed no significant correlation between the RT-CIT effect and secondary psychopathic traits (BF01 = 6.98). This cautiously suggests that while secondary psychopathic tendencies do not improve RT-CIT validity, they also do not compromise it. Although future investigations should explore more diverse contexts and populations, this tentative finding is reassuring and underscores the robustness of the CIT paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescents may have anxiety due to a series of events such as school work and social interaction. Improper handling of anxiety often leads to some negative consequences, such as Internet addiction. Therefore, this study further explored the relationship between anxiety and Internet addiction, as well as the mediating role of inhibitory control between the two, and also considered the moderating role of physical activity between anxiety and inhibitory control. Methods: A total of 1607 adolescents, comprising 664 boys and 943 girls with an average age of 15.86 years (SD = 0.73), from Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, and Hunan provinces completed a self-report survey on physical activity, anxiety, inhibitory control, and Internet addiction. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and mediation test were conducted. Results: The results revealed a significant positive correlation between anxiety and adolescent internet addiction (r = 0.413, p < 0.001), and a significant negative correlation with inhibitory control (r = -0.423, p < 0.001). Inhibitory control was found to be significantly positively correlated with physical exercise (r = 0.143, p < 0.001) and significantly negatively correlated with internet addiction (r = -0.368, p < 0.001). After controlling for demographic variables, anxiety significantly positively predicted Internet addiction (β = 0.311, p < 0.001) in adolescents, and it also indirectly predicted Internet addiction through inhibitory control (β = -0.231, p < 0.001). Physical activity significantly weakened the predictive effect of anxiety on inhibitory control (β = -0.092, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study further explored the issue of psychological mechanisms between anxiety and Internet addiction in adolescents, and added that physical activity alleviates the negative effects of anxiety on adolescents. Schools and families are encouraged to promote physical exercise among adolescents to alleviate the influence of negative emotions on their psychological and behavioral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/AimsMethodsResultsConclusionsInhibitory control training (ICT) is a cognitive intervention that has been suggested to reduce problematic appetitive behaviours, such as unhealthy eating and excessive alcohol consumption. We conducted a meta-analytic review of ICT for reducing appetitive behaviours.Two meta-analyses were conducted for behavioural (objective) outcomes and self-report outcomes, along with 14 moderator analyses, and two secondary analyses investigating changes in cue-devaluation and inhibitory control.The review included 46 articles (67 effect sizes and 4231 participants) and four appetitive health behaviours (eating, drinking, smoking, gambling). A significant effect of ICT on behavioural outcomes was found (SMD = 0.241, p .001). The self-report outcomes meta-analysis was not significant (p > .05). Secondary analyses also demonstrated greater inhibitory control (p < .05) and cue devaluation (p < .05) following ICT.This meta-analytic review is the largest synthesis of ICT interventions for appetitive behaviours. ICT significantly reduced problematic eating behaviours when adopting behavioural outcomes, but this was not found for other appetitive behaviours. ICT also significantly improved inhibitory control and reduced cue evaluations. Further studies are required before drawing any conclusions regarding impacts on other appetitive behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some studies have revealed the association between bullying victimization and internet addiction in adolescents, the mediating and moderating factors between the two need to be further discussed. This study aimed to discuss the chain mediating role of anxiety and inhibitory control between bullying victimization and internet addiction among Chinese adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven schools in five provinces of China by convenience sampling from February to March 2024. A total of 1673 participants (695 boys and 978 girls) with an average age of 15.86 ± 0.74 years were included in this study. Subjective data on bullying victimization, internet addiction, anxiety, inhibitory control were collected and analyzed, and a mediation model test was carried out. After controlling for age and gender, bullying victimization was found to be a significant predictor of internet addiction (β = 0.098, p < 0.001). However, when anxiety and inhibitory control were added, the predictive effect was no longer significant (β = 0.006, p > 0.05). Bullying victimization can predict internet addiction through anxiety and inhibitory control. It is suggested that guardians should provide adequate support to adolescent bullying victims in order to reduce the negative impact of bullying victimization on adolescents and prevent the occurrence of internet addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Internet documents are characterised by their non‐linear hyperlink structure, which allows for more flexible reading, at the cost of higher cognitive loads. Linear text reading comprehension skills contribute to hypertext comprehension (either directly or through its impact on navigation behaviours) but cannot fully account for its complexity. There is also evidence that hypertext reading engages executive functions, but few studies have addressed the core executive function processes simultaneously. This study examined hypertext comprehension and navigation skills and their association with linear text reading comprehension and executive functions in adolescents.One hundred thirty‐six third‐year students (61% boys; age: M = 14.03, SD = 0.44 years) participated in the study. Students were assessed with a paper‐and‐pencil expository text comprehension test, a computerised neuropsychological battery to measure executive functioning (perceptual and response inhibition, shifting and working memory [WM]) and a hypertext comprehension task.We found direct contributions of shifting, linear text comprehension and navigation efficiency to hypertext comprehension. Linear text comprehension was associated with shifting, while navigation efficiency increased with WM and linear text comprehension skills. In addition, navigation partially mediated the effects of linear text comprehension and fully mediated those of WM on hypertext comprehension.We found direct and indirect contributions of executive function to hypertext comprehension, mediated by linear text comprehension and navigation efficiency. This suggests that finding and integrating information from hypertexts engages shifting beyond its contribution to linear text reading. The role of WM was explained by its contribution to navigation efficiency (providing a workspace to keep track of navigation paths, reading goals and inferential processing). These findings underline the relevance of high‐level cognitive abilities for Internet reading in adolescents, as well as the importance of teaching boosting navigation strategies in middle school, given their impact on hypertext comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the importance of cognitive and motor functions of the elderly people, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive exergame, called Neurolight compared to computerized cognitive games, in enhancing core executive functions and motor performance. Methods: A total of 36 individuals in the age range of 60 to 69 years were studied in the form of three groups: The control group continued their daily activities, while the Neurolight group underwent a cognitive-motor training and the Maghzineh performed a computer-based cognitive training program for 24 sessions. Before and after interventions, working memory, inhibitory control, and balance were measured respectively by the N-back, Stroop, and TUG tests. Results: The results showed that cognitive-motor exercises using Neurolight, for 24 sessions, were able to significantly improve working memory, inhibitory control, and balance in individuals in this age group. Conclusion: This finding supports the other studies suggesting combined cognitive and physical exercises for better effect. Based on its findings, the use of this exercise system can be suggested to coaches and therapists working with the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sagittaria trifolia, a perennial weed of Alismataceae in Japanese rice paddies, has a single ALS gene, and both target and non‐target‐site resistance are known in the SU resistance of this species. In this study, the target‐site resistance profile at the whole‐plant and enzyme levels was investigated using self‐pollinated S1 seedlings from a parent plant heterozygous for a Pro197Ser ALS mutation and their clonal tubers. Our objectives were to reveal differences and similarities between whole‐plant resistance of seedlings to imazosulfuron and that of tuber‐derived plants and to correlate the whole‐plant responses to enzymatic inhibition, as well as to quantify the effects of mutant ALS allele stacking. Genotyping confirmed a Mendelian segregation ratio (1:2:1) among S1 plants for wild‐type, heterozygous, and homozygous ALS mutations. Enzymatic assays showed that resistance correlated with the number of mutant alleles, and heterozygous plants exhibited a double‐sigmoid curve plateauing at 50%, indicating the function of a 50:50 wild‐type to mutant enzyme ratio. Studies of tuber‐derived plants showed that resistance increased with more mutant alleles, but with a disproportionate jump over 3000‐fold from wild‐type to heterozygous, and only 5‐fold from heterozygous to homozygous, indicating a saturating tendency in the stacking effect of mutations. The dose response of S1 seedlings was consistent with Mendelian segregation of genotypes and suggested a similar saturation of resistance increase due to allele stacking as observed in tubers, with comparable dose–response patterns across identical genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]